Rotary engine



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

E. WALDR'ON.

ROTARY ENGINE.

N0. 479,479. Patented July 26, 1892.

INVENTOR:

WITNESSES:

m5 Nonms ravens m, mom-Luna, wAsmNmn (No Model.) B WALDRON 3 SheetsSheet 2. ROTARY ENGINE.

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(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3. E. WALDRON.

ROTARY ENGINE.

Patented July 26, 1892.

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"m: "cams PETERS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDW'ARD WVALDRON, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

ROTARY ENGINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 479,479, dated July 26, 1892.

Application filed May 15, 1889. Serial No. 3l01 (N0 model-)4 To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWARD WALDRON, of the city and county of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvement in Rotary Engines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to rotary engines; and it consists of certain improvements, all of which are fully set forth in the following specification, and shown in the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.

The invention set out in this specification is an improvement upon the rotary engine disclosed in Letters Patent No. 225,030, granted to me on March 2, 1880.

More particularly the invention relates to improved details of construction with the object in View of making the engine more durable, reliable, and efficient.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional plan view of my improved rotary engine on line 00 x of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a crosssection of same on line y y of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective View of a number of the details of the connecting parts between the cylinder drum, and shaft, the parts being shown separated. Fig. 4 is a plan view of my improved rotary engine. Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of same on line .2 z of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the pistons. Fig. 7 is a perspective of the cylinder-drum. Fig. 8 is an end elevation of one of thepacking-rings for the shaft and cylinder, and Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 1.

A is the cylinder and is provided at each end with heads A, having orifices through which the piston-shafts extend. The central portions of the cylinder comprised in the parts T T are concentric, and those portions comprised in the parts T T are eccentric with reference to a central line through the shafts f, located at each end, and the end portions adjacent'to the heads Aare enlarged, circular, and concentric with the shafts. The heads A carry the journals to for the shafts f, as shown in Figs. t-and 5, and the central or middle part of the cylinder A is formed with the steam-inlet port M and exhaust-ports 'n 17., opening into the exhaust-outlet N. These exhaust-ports n "n converge from the lateral sides of the cylinder toward the middle and unite in the outlet N. (See Figs. 4 and 5.) The object of this convergence is to enable the pistons to sweep the ports in such a manner that the said ports in effect travel laterally over the pistons 12 as they advance and all water of condensation is rapidly ejected with a minimum of resistance. The interior of the cylinder is made up of four surfacesto wit, the concentric surfaces T T, arranged diametrically opposite and difiering in radius a distance equal to the throw of the pistons bin their races 1) of the drum B, rotating within said cylinder, and the surfaces T T which are eccentric or cam shaped and contain, respectively, the steam-inlet port M and exhaust-ports n n. The surfaces T T connect with the concentric surfaces T T, so as to form a continuous internal surface for the outer edges of the pistons.

An important feature is that the exhaustports n 01 extend down somewhat into the concentric surface T, and likewise the steam-port M is shortened a corresponding distance, so as to recede upon the surface T slightly, or the surface T may be continued a corresponding distance toward the steam-port M. By examining Fig. 2 it will be observed that the two left-hand pistons 12 are just upon the ports M and n-that is, one piston is leaving the port a (see dotted lines) and the other piston is moving onto port M. While those pistons are in those positions the other two pistons on the right are not in corresponding positions with the other ends of the ports, but the upper piston is beyond the end of the exhaustport a, and the lower piston is just beyond the end of the port M. It is necessary for the two pistons of any pair to be separated a distance equal to the distance between the edges of the ports M n, otherwise there would be a free escape of steam Without a resulting development of power. The object of this arrangement of ports and surface T is to enable the piston 17, which is approaching the exhaust-ports n, to remain stationary so far as radial movement is concerned until it has passed beyond the end of the exhaust-port, so as to relieve the pressure back of it, and thus reduce the friction of its radial movement. As soon as it has passed on sufficiently to enable the relief of the pressure at its back it meets the eccentric surface T and commences to be pushed inward. In this manner its inward movement is not performed against a strong lateral pressure, and hence all excessive wear of the piston in its races is overcome.

Another important feature of this improvement is that when the pistons come in line with the beginning of the exhaust-ports n the steam and water back of the pistons may be relieved by blowing up through the grooves s in the ends of the pistons, through the grooves S in the cylinder and in front of the pistons, and out by the exhaust-ports at before the steam back of the piston has been exhausted. This is important, since it removes at once the great resistance to the pistons being pushed in by the eccentric portion T of the cylinder. This relief is a great advantage, for the pistons move so rapidly that it is essential to avoid all clogging or obstruction of their free reciprocation. The relief of the water and steam from under the pistons in this manner before the main exhaust fromback of the pistons has the advantage of relief into a space when there is the least pressure, and hence the least resistance to relief. In the case of the piston passing over the steam-port M the steam 'exists with the initial pressure upon both'sides, and consequently itsoutward move-v at t, to reduce the weight and also the fric tion in the races and consequent outward tendency due to centrifugal action. These pistons are arranged in pairs situated on dia-' metrically-opposite sides of the drum B and pressed outward by spring distance-rods G, consisting of tubes G, open at one end and fitted with a movable head G2 and a spring g within to push said head outward. By this means the pistons are kept normally a given distance apart and the springs admit of adjustment for any variations in the internal diameters of the cylinder. The distance-rods work through holes G which theysnugly fit, and there are preferably two of such distancepieces for each pair of pistons, as shown in Fig. 1. Each end of the drum B is preferably slightly enlarged, as at B and is fitted to the several parts shown in Fig. 3, which are separated for clearness-to wit, parts 0, D,

E, and F. The drum is received in and fits the recess D, and is bolted to said head D and the head F of the shaftf by bolts V, Fig. 1.

Fitting over the head D with asteam-tight joint and having freedom of lateral movement is the packing-ring C, and this ring is pressed forward against the face 11, Fig. 1, of the cylinder by springs -E, extendlnginto recesses d in its rear and held in place by lugs (2 of the ring E, bolted tothe outside of the head D.

By removing the head A, the shaftf, and the head D the pistons may be drawn out without withdrawing the drum B. This is important.

The ring 0 is clearly shown in Fig. 3 and consists of an annular body portion formed with a narrow rim 0 for contact with the surface t", and also at four equidistant places with wedge-shaped pieces I-I, having races h for the pistons b. The vouter ends of these races h are slotted at If, and these slots lead into recesses h, Figs. 1 and 3. Theobject of this is to supply steam to the running surfaces and insure thorough lubrication, and thereby reduce the friction and wear, and also to act as pockets for the collection of any dirt, &c.

By making the pieceslI wedge-shaped I am enabled to fit them to the recesses d' in the head D, Fig. '3, and thus form a steam-tight joint and yet permit them to move parallel with the length of the cylinder in-said recesses, and I also maintain the advantageous construction of proportioning the surface to the friction between the parts, which is pro portional to the distance traveledthatis to say, that as I move away from the axis of rotation of the drum and shafts of the engine the metal surface of the parts H exposed to contact with the cylinder-surface 'i gradually increases, and this increase is substantially proportional to the increase of distance traveled. It will now be seen that the drum at each end of the cylinder A is packed by the rings 0 and is supported in hearings or by the shafts f. This construction has the further advantage of being perfectly self-lubricating, since the outer parts of the pieces H are lubricated by the steam and water outside of the annular rim 0. The annular rim cis lubricated by the steam and waterpassing into the slot h, Fig. 1, and the inner parts of the pieces II are lubricated by the steam and water passing into the race It. The enlarged ends B of the dlllIILB receive the inner ends of the wedge-shaped pieces, and as the faces of these pieces wear in working over the surfaces t" of the cylinder theymay shift over the enlarged parts 13 of the drum and compensate for wear without the least possibility of binding. This construction is shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 9. I pack the shafts f where they pass through the cylinder-heads A and make the sleeves J slide upon the inner edges of the opening in the heads, as is clearly shown at j in Fig. 1. The shaft f has an enlarged portion f adjacent to the head F, and over the enlarged portion the sleeve J fits and is pressed outward by springs L; The sleeve has a packing-gland J which is screwed in upon the shaft f against a packing, or, if desired, it might be screwed into the sleeve. The inner flange of the sleeveis notched, as at 7;, Figs. 1 and 8, and through these notches are placed screws K, which are held by the head F, and they perform. the dual dutyof making the sleeve rotate with the shaft f andhold it to the shaft when the head A. is removed. By this construction the packing around the shaft and between it and the sleeve J may be always maintained'steam-tight and all leak.- ages instantly stopped, so that no steam can escape by way of the shaft. Furthermore, the construction is one which insures all the wear coming upon the removable head A, which can readily be removed for repairing or for permitting access to the packing ring or sleeve for repairs or other necessary purposes. Furthermore, it is possible to remove the head A for adjusting or obtaining access to the annular ring 0 and its connections without dismantling the other parts, as was necessary in the case of my patent hereinbefore referred to. comes upon a part which is inexpensive to replace, whereas in .my former patent the wear came upon one of the heads of the drum, which was expensive to replace.

Returning to the packing-ring G, I would direct attention to the fact that the wedge. pieces H project inwardly and are received in corresponding notches d in the head D, and thereby insure the ring 0 rotating with the drum B and pistons. It is true that the pistons of themselves would cause the ring to rotate; but their action would be uneven and would produce a strong friction on the pistons which it is desired to remove. By the construction shown the head D primarily causes the ring to rotate with the drum and pistons and relieves the pistons of any duty other than rotating the drum and its shafts.-

The action of the pistons on the pieces II-is to rotate the ring 0 and drum as an unit but without any backward strain on the outeredge of the pistons. l-Ioles P extend entirely through the drum, heads D, and F, intothe spaces or chambers I at each end of the engine, so as to equalize the pressure on the outside of the packing-rings-O. (See Figs. 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7.)

On each end of the cylinder and along the extreme edges of the surfaces T T are grooves I S, hereinbefor-e referred to, which grooves in length correspond to the ports M and n 07,, Figs. 2 and 5. To work in conjunction with these grooves are groovess in the ends of the pistons, as shown in Figs. 1 and 6. The object of these grooves is to supply steam on one hand when passing the steamport M and allow of the escape of steam and water when passing the exhaust-ports n and when the pistons are entering the drum, as before explained. The steam passes into grooves S at the bottom of the engine and then through grooves s on the ends of the pistons, beneath the pistons, and filling the bottoms of the races 1) and insuring the pistonsbeing kept positively to the interior surface ofcylinder,

preventing all chattering and necessity for heavy springs in the distance-rods. Once the Furthermore, in this case all of the wear by longitudinal grooves.

pistonpassesithe end of the port M the grooves s are sealed and the steam back of the piston remains locked in. hen the piston reaches the exhaust-port 'n, the upper 'grooves S are met and the steam and water are relieved, and the inward movement of the piston positively ejects the steam and water of condensation against the small resistance of the exhaust-steam, and the piston sweeps it through the exhaust-ports. Its release at :the upper port is also important, because the piston must be pushed intothe drum, and all resistance to such action must be removed.

Thesegrooves S s also insure the steam for lubricating purposes passing to the slots 71 and recesses hin the rings 0 and also to the space between the rings Oand heads D. An examination of Fig.2 will show that theinner ends of the piston-races Z) are enlarged at L While there is a limited space between the walls of the race and the distance-rods G for the passage of steam and water when thepistons reciprocate, yet it is not sufficient when the engine is running at its normal speed, and for this reason the grooves L are employed, as they form channels for the ready escape vof the steam and .water of condensation to either end of the drum and to the grooves s in the endsof the pistons. The water of'condensation fromv the steam-port passes off by drippipe M and from the .eXhauSt-pOrt-bydrippipe.O., The pistons rotate in the direction of the arrows, and during their rotation about the axis of the drum theyreciprocate in pairs, and as the diameter of the cylinderis substantially the same for all lines taken through the said axis of the drum and shafts of the engine one piston recedes with substantially.

the same velocity as the one diametrically opposite is projected.

IVhileI prefer the construction shown, I do not confine myself to the exact details, as they may be modified without departing from my invention.

While I have particularly described my invention as an engine, it is apparent that it may also be used as. a pump, and is applicable not only fortransmitting power, but also for compressing or exhausting air or gas and for measuring liquids, and such uses of the apparatusare contemplated by my invention.

. Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is.-

1. Ina rotary engine, the combination ofa steam-cylinder formed with shaft-bearings at each end, a rotary drum and pistons of a length equal to the length of the cylinder, a steam-tight packing between the ends ofthe .drum and cylinder, a shaft at eachend supported in said bearings and haviuga flanged steam-tight packing encircling the shafts beder-heads through which the shafts extend.

2. In a rotary engine, the combination of the cylinder having heads at each end provided with apertures of larger diameter than the shaft-sections of the engine, a rotary drum and pistons secured to the shaft-sections, sleeves surrounding the shaft-sections and movable longitudinally thereon and forming annular steam-tight rotary joints with the inner faces of the cylinder-heads, packing be tween the sleeves and shaft-sections, glands screwed upon the shaft-sections to keep the packing in place, and springs to press the sleeves outward against the inner faces of the cylinder-heads.

3. In a rotary engine, a cylinder having its inner surface formed of concentric and eccentric parts arranged alternately about the axis of rotation of the shaft, and steam inlet and exhaust ports arranged diametrically oppo site and of difierent lengths, in which the exhaust port occupies a space more than ninety degrees, in combination with a rotary shaft and piston carried with the shaft and sweeping the interior face of the cylinder.

4. In a rotary engine, a cylinder having two 1 oppositely-arranged concentric parts T T of difierent radii and two opposite cam or eccentric parts '1 T connecting said concentric parts and respectively provided with steam and exhaust ports, in which the exhaust-port consists of two oblique ports substantially covering the width of the cylinder, in combination with traveling pistons moving about a fixed axis and sweeping the interior surface of the cylinder.

5. In a rotary engine, the combination of a cylinder having concentric and eccentric parts, substantially as set out, and provided with steam and exhaust ports arranged in the eccentric parts diametrically opposite and in which the adjacent edges of the two ports are separated a distance corresponding to ninety degrees and in which the exhaust-port is of greater length than the steam-port, with a rotary drum arranged within the cylinder, and rotary movable pistons arranged diametrically in pairs and movable in races formed in the drum.

6. In a. rotary engine, the cylinder having an interior surface made cam or eccentric shaped, in combination with adrum provided with piston-races arranged within said cylinder and of substantially equallength with the cylinder, pistons for said drum, removable heads for the ends of said drum to hold the pistons against longitudinal movement, and two shafts having heads and arranged one at each end and bolted to the drum, whereby the shaft at one end can be removed and the pistons withdrawn without removing the drum.

7. In a rotary engine, the cylinder having interior concentric and eccentric shaped surfaces arranged alternately about its interior circumference and parallel endsurfaces, in combination with a rotary drum and reciprocating pistons, a head bolted to each end of the drum, having radial slots, and packingrings carried by said heads, having piston guide-pieces fitting said slots and movable to and fromthe end surfaces of the cylinder.

8. In a rotary engine, the cylinder having interior concentric and eccentric shaped surfaces arranged alternately about its interior circumference and parallel end surfaces, in combination with a rotary drum and reciprocating pistons, a head bolted to each end of the drum, having radial slots, and packingrings carried by said heads, having piston guide-pieces fitting said slots and movable to and from the end surfaces of the cylinder, and springs supported by the heads to force said rings against the end surfaces.

9. In a rotary engine, the cylinder having interior concentric and eccentric shaped sur faces arranged alternately about its interior circumference and parallel end surfaces, in

combination with a rotary drum and reciprocating pistons, a head bolted to each end of the drum, having radial slots, and packingrings carried by said heads, having piston guide-pieces fitting said slots and movable to and from the end surfaces of the cylinder, the said rings having a thin annular contact-rim, and guide-races for the pistons.

10. In a rotary engine, the cylinder having interior concentric and eccentric shaped surfaces arranged alternately about its interior circumference and parallel end surfaces, in combination with a rotary drum and reciprocating pistons, a head bolted to each end of the drum, having radial slots, and packingrings carried by said heads, having piston guide-pieces fitting said slots and movable to and from the end surfaces of the cylinder, the said rings being formed with a thin annular contact-rim havinga steam-lubricatin g groove and recess leading from the interior of the cylinder to its contact-surface.

11. In a rotary engine, the cylinder having interior concentric and eccentric surfaces arranged alternately about its interior circumference and parallel end surfaces, in co mbination with a rotary drum within the cylinder, providedwith reciprocating pistons,end heads for said drum rotating with it and provided with V-shaped guide notches or slots in their interiorsurfaces, and packing-rings encircling said heads, provided with V-shaped pieces forming races for the pistons and fitting in said notches or slots in the drums.

12. In a rotary engine, a cylinder having its inner surface formed of concentric and eccentric parts arranged alternately about the axis of rotation of the shaft, and steam inlet and exhaust ports arranged diametrically opposite, in which the exhaust-port extends over a space of more than ninety degrees, in combination with a rotary shaft and four pistons arranged at angles of ninety'de grees and carried with the shaft and sweeping the interior face of the cylinder. v

13. In a rotary engine, the combination of the cylinder having heads at each end, a rotary drum and pistons within the cylinder, a shaft projecting from the drumthrough the head, a stuffing box or sleeve surrounding the shaft, a packing between the shaft and said boxor sleeve, and springs to press the box or sleeveagainst the interior surface of thehead and make a steam-tight rotary joint.

14. In a rotary engine, the combination of the cylinder having heads at each end, a 1'0- tary drum and pistons within the cylinder, a shaft projecting from the drum through the head, a stuffing box or sleeve surrounding the shaft, a packing between the shaft and said box or sleeve, and springs to press the box or sleeve against the interior surface of the head and make a steam-tight rotary joint, and screws, substantially as shown, tohold said box or sleeve to the drum and shaft when the cylinder-head is removed.

15. In a rotary engine, the combination of the cylinder having heads at each end, a rotary drum and pistons within the cylinder, a shaft projecting from the drum through the head, and a box or sleeve carried with the rotating shaft and forming a steam-tight joint between the shaft and cylinder-head.

16. Ina rotary engine, the combination of the cylinder having heads at each end, a rotary drum and pistons within the cylinder, a shaft projecting from the drum through the head, a box or sleeve J, encircling the shaft and having an annular flange forming a steam-tight rotary joint 3' with the cylinderhead, a packing between the box or sleeve and shaft, and a packing gland or ring for said box or sleeve.

17. In a rotary engine, the combination of the cylinder having an interior made of concentric and eccentric parts, with a rotary drum located therein and formed with radial races for the pistons provided with enlargements or channels at the bottom entirely across the drum for the ready escape of water and steam fromunder the pistons when moving inwardly to-the ends of the drum, and pistons movably supported and made steamtight in said races.

18. In a rotary engine, the combination of the cylinder having an interior made of concentric and eccentric parts, with a rotary drum located therein and formed with radial races for the pistons, provided with enlargements or channels at the bottom entirely across the drum for the ready escape of water and steam from under the pistons when moving inwardly to the ends of the drum, and pistons for said races, formed with grooves on their ends for the escape of the water and steam from the ends of the races to the exhaust-port.

19. In a rotary engine, a cylinder having an interior made of concentric and eccentric shaped parts and parallel end surfaces, in

combination with a rotary drum of greater length than the interior surface of the cylinder and of greater diameter on its ends than at the middle and formed with radial pistonraces, heads for said drum, pistons working in the races of said drum, and a packing or skeleton ring encircling said heads of the drum and formed with guide or race pieces for the pistons, extending inward toward the enlarged diameters of the drum and moving longitudinally to make atight joint with the end surfaces of the cylinder.

V 20. In a rotary engine,thecylinder having an interior surface consisting of eccentric and concentric parts and parallel end surfaces, in combination with a rotary drum, pistons and heads therefor, and encircling packing-rings for said heads, having irregular contact-surfaces at their outer portions, consisting of a thin annular rim, and outwardly-extending parts arranged at intervals about the circumference and having steam-spaces in them for making a steam-tight joint with the end surfaces and allowing of ample lubrication.

21. In a rotary engine, the cylinder having a concentric and eccentric shaped interior, substantially as shown, and parallel end surfaces, in combination with a rotary drum, pistons and heads therefor, and encircling packingrings for said heads, an irregular contact-surface for making a steam-tight joint with the end surfaces and allowing of ample lubrication, said surface consisting of a narrow annular rim, and guide-pieces for the pistons, said guide-pieces projecting beyond the annular rim and formed with steam-spaces ex- I tending beyond the said rim.

22. In a rotary engine, the cylinder having interior concentric and eccentric surfaces arranged alternately about its interior circumference and parallel end surfaces, in combination with a rotary drum within the cylinder provided with reciprocating pistons, end heads for the said drum, rotating with it and provided with V-shaped guide notches or slots in their interior surfaces, and packing-rings encircling said heads, provided with V-sh'aped pieces forming races for the pistons and fitting in said notches or slots in the drums, and springs to force said rings against the end surfaces of the cylinder.

23. In a rotary engine, a cylinder having its interior surface made of eccentric and concentric parts, in combination with a rotary drum having radial piston-races, radially-reciprocating pistons working in said races, and distance-rods formed of the tubes G, heads G and internal spring g, acting to separate the tubes and heads for keeping the pistons out against the cylinder-surfaces.

24. In a rotary engine, the cylinder having an interior made concentric and eccentric and in which said parts each occupy ninety degrees and are arranged alternately and formed with steam and exhaust ports arranged on diametrically-opposite and eccentric sides,

and also having grooves S on the end edges of the cylinder and of a length corresponding to the exhaust-port and in which the exhaustport occupies more space than ninety degrees, extending upon the larger concentric part, in combination with a rotating drum having radial races arranged at ninety degrees apart, and radially-reciprocating pistons for said races, having end grooves opening into the grooves S in the cylinder to relieve the water and steam under the piston before the steam in the cylinder back of the piston is exhausted.

25. In a rotary engine, a cylinder having its inner surface formed of concentric and eccentric parts arranged alternately about the axis of rotation of the shaft, and steam inlet and exhaust ports arranged diametrically 0pposite, in which the exhaust-port extends over a space of more than ninety degrees and the steam-port a space of less than ninety degrees, in combination with a rotary shaft and four pistons arranged at angles of ninety degrees and carried with the shaft and sweeping the interior face of the cylinder, whereby two spaces between the pistons may be exhausting while only one is receiving steam and the pistons over the exhaust are relieved before moving on the eccentric part of the cylinder.

26. In a rotary engine, a cylinder having its interior composed of alternate concentric and eccentric parts and in which the concentr1c parts are alternately of different diameters, a steam-port arranged in one of the eccentric parts and an exhaust-port arranged 1n the alternate eccentric part and being of a length equal to that of the eccentric part and part of the concentric part, in combination with a rotating drum having its axis arranged concentric with the concentric parts of the cylinder and provided with piston-races separated a numberof degrees corresponding to that of the concentric and eccentric parts of the cylinder, and reciprocating pistons carried by the drum and adapted to sweep the interior of the cylinder, the Whole operating to exhaust the steam from back of the pistons before the said pistons reach the eccentric portion of the cylinder, and thereby reduce the frictlon and wear upon the engine and allowing a higher speed to be attained.

In testimonyof which invention I have hereunto set my hand.

EDVV ARD VVALDRON.

Witnesses:

ERNEST HOWARD HUNTER, S. T. YERKES. 

